Battles
What is the Battle of Gettysburg?
What is the Republican Party?
Who is John Wilkes Booth?
Perhaps the most famous general of the Civil War, this future Confederate disagreed with secession, but refused to lead Union volunteers when his home state of Virginia voted to leave the Union.
Who is Robert E. Lee?
Suspended during the Civil War, this is the constitutional right that states that the government must inform you of the reason for your arrest.
What is Habeas Corpus?
Civilians from Washington D.C. were on hand to witness this first major battle of the Civil War.
What is the First Battle of Bull Run?
A nickname given to "Peace Democrats," this term can either refer to a poisonous snake, or the front side of a copper penny which had an image of Lady Liberty on it.
What is a Copperhead?
Perhaps the most famous speech ever given by a U.S. President, Lincoln's dedication at a new military cemetery on a former battlefield in Pennsylvania was only around 2 minutes long.
What is the Gettysburg Address?
Initially making his reputation out in the western theater, his successful taking of several Confederate forts on the Mississippi caused many to declare that his first initials must stand for "Unconditional Surrender."
Who is Ulysses S. Grant?
The concept of forced conscription was so unpopular in this major northern city that Irish-Americans rioted in 1864, targeting the rich and African-Americans, who they blamed for the war.
What is New York City?
The single bloodiest single day in the war, this stalemate of a battle in Maryland gave Lincoln his justification for the Emancipation Proclamation.
What is the Battle of Antietam?
Important both strategically and politically, these states had much in common with the Confederacy even though they remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War.
What are the "Border States?"
Despite the Republican Party seeking a replacement, Lincoln won reelection in this Presidential Election, the only one to take place during the Civil War, after Sherman's burning of Atlanta.
What is the Election of 1864?
Gaining his nickname at First Bull Run, this Confederate general was one of the most skilled leaders in the main Confederate army until his death by friendly fire at Chancellorsville in 1863.
Who is Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson?
Some historians argue that Sherman's "March to the Sea" is an early example of this concept, where all aspects of a nation are both utilized, and targeted, during a war.
What is "Total War?"
Finished on July 4th, 1863, this successful siege of a Confederate strongpoint by U.S. Grant won control of the entire Mississippi River to the Union.
What is the Battle of Vicksburg?
In order to avoid Great Britain becoming involved in the Civil War, President Lincoln released two Confederate diplomats who had been captured onboard a British ship in this incident.
What is the Trent Affair?
Lincoln had already written this executive declaration months before he issued it in 1863, having to wait until he felt he would have enough popular support to overcome resistance, especially in the "Border States."
What is the Emancipation Proclamation?
Known for his sullen temper and bright red hair, this Union general was ordered in 1864 to take 100,000 men and march from Tennessee to the South Carolina coast, burning everything in his path that could be used by the Confederates.
Who is William Tecumseh Sherman?
This Supreme Court decision ruled that the idea of trial by jury was so important, that even if an area was under military control, a citizen had to be tried in civilian courts if they were available.
What is Ex Parte Milligan?
One of the last battles in the war, this long term siege of fortifications outside Richmond is often thought of as a preview of the trench warfare experienced in World War I.
What is the Battle of Petersburg?
While it was politically impossible to emancipate slaves in the first two years of the war, Congress did pass this act, which allowed military commanders to take possession of, and dispose of, "enemy property," which some used as an excuse to free slaves that they encountered.
What is the Confiscation Act?
During the Civil War, President Lincoln utilized this form of political authority, derived from his being President, more often and in much greater, extensive, and sometimes unconstitutional ways than any other President before him.
What are Executive Powers?
Actually a highly skilled trainer and organizer, this Union generals reputation with Lincoln was damaged after his cautiousness and lack of success as a field commander caused him to retreat back to Union lines after the Peninsular Campaign of 1862.
Who is George McClellan?
This act which gave benefits to states that funneled profits from land sales into agricultural and trade colleges, passed during the war by the Republican controlled congress, was extremely important as it created the idea that federal grants and benefits were an important tool in education in the United States.
What is the Morrill Land Grant Act?